Commentary: Offensive

line a big part of success
By Steve Behr, sports editor

sports@wataugademocrat

The only time anybody recognizes an offensive lineman on the field is when he is called for holding. Yet, with the exception of the quarterback, the five offensive line positions are the most important on the field.

They toil anonymously in practice slamming into defensive linemen time and time again, while the other players work on the passing game and such. Fans may ask for autographs, but unless they are knowledgeable about the team, they won’t recognize the name that is on that slip of paper.

Yet without them, nothing happens on offense. At Appalachian State, the offensive line has had its share of problems, especially when it comes to injuries.

However, the Appalachian State line has rarely had a better year.

This Friday, the Mountaineers take on Delaware in the Football Championship Subdivision championship game in Chattanooga, Tenn. Press credentials will be issued to writers from all over the East Coast. A writer from USA Today even visited practice Monday.

Stories about Kevin Richardson (including my own), and quarterback Armanti Edwards will be written this week. When the game is over, more stories about Appalachian State’s outstanding skill players will be written.

This one’s for the guys who make it all work.

Appalachian’s line — left tackle Brad Coley, All-American left guard Kerry Brown, center Scott Suttle, right guard Jon Holt and right tackle Jonathan Bieschke — are the engine of this offense. Edwards turns the steering wheel, but without the engine, Edwards isn’t going anywhere.

They’ve been a group that has fought off injuries all season. It started when Suttle missed the Michigan game and was backed up well by Brett Irvin.

Bieschke also missed time and Brown played with a sore thumb. Coley is playing because regular left tackle, Mario Acitelli, broke his leg.

Nic Cardwell, the starting tight end, does much more blocking that pass catching, so he’s a true member of this club. So is backup tight end Daniel Kilgore, who began the season as a backup guard. He started a few games before breaking his leg when Holt moved over to replace Bieschke.

The good news for the Mountaineers is that this group is as healthy as it has been all season long.

They’ve opened up huge running lanes for Edwards and Richardson and can claim a lot of responsibility for the reason why Appalachian State averages over 41 points per game.

If you get a chance, pick out a lineman and just watch him the entire time during one play. It’s a different world in the pit, but one worth exploring.